Dignity Seniors Society

Darren Usher (Chair; he/him) RSW, MSW (University of British Columbia).

Darren brings a background in Gestalt psychotherapy (Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy: Gestalt Center, London U.K.) / social work and over 25 years’ experience delivering and managing front line social services for gender and sexually diverse individuals and communities.

Darren has extensive knowledge of the British Columbian mental health community and coordinated the BC Alliance on Mental Health and Addictions from 2010 to 2012.

During his five years (2009 to 2015) as Program Manager of Health Initiative for Men (HiM: B.C.’s gay men’s health organization), Darren initiated many programs focusing on gay men’s (MSM) mental and social health.

Most recently Darren spent two years working as Director of Professional Practice at the British Columbia College of Social Workers focusing on professional regulation.

Currently Darren works with the BC Association of Social Workers advocating for social work and social justice issues in BC.

Outside work Darren loves traveling, cooking (and eating!) and relaxing with his partner of 24 years and their close friends.

Adriaan de Vries (Vice Chair; he/him/his) MSW, MBA, Provincial Instructor Diploma Program (PIDP), RYT 500.

Adriaan has had a multi-faceted career in Social Work, Finance and Education.

Some areas of concentration in Social Work have been work with youth, addictions, mental health, and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Finance endeavors were in managing finance and administration functions for Western Canada for a large federal department.

Education included dementia/Alzheimer's, HIV/AIDS, spirituality, and personal growth.

These efforts, spread over 35 years, were abetted by Adriaan's writing and facilitation skills and leadership initiative.

Now retired, Adriaan's passion for health in mind and body led him to train as a volunteer yoga instructor at 68 and he now leads weekly classes.

Adriaan's concern for the "under-dog" is still active today in his mentoring, 2SLGBTQIA+ refugee work, and queer seniors’ issues complemented by meditation, "family", reading, personal expansion, yoga practice and volunteering.

Marja-Leena Corbett (Secretary; they/them) M.A., Sociology.

Marja-Leena has a strong interest in the social determinants of mental health and the role that systemic factors play in community and individual well-being.

Their M.A. research focused on how transgender youth interpret and make sense of narratives of risk and suffering, particularly narratives that suggest an intrinsic connection between suicidality and trans identity.

They also volunteer with the Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Center of BC as a youth educator and with the Canadian Pride Historical Society as a research coordinator.

In their downtime, Marja-Leena loves to swim, rock climb, play piano, and spend time in nature with their dogs.

Karl Koziura (he/him) B.Sc., CMMB, BScN, R,N ACCN, MScN.

Karl is a healthcare leader located in Kamloops, B.C. who brings strong leadership and community ties. He gained experience as a Board Governor and Senate member for Thompson Rivers University from 2010-2012, and currently sits on the Kamloops Arts Council Board of Directors, which has a strong alliance with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Karl has long advocated for equality, education, and enlightenment for the 2SLGBTQIA+ in the acute care setting and is an active member in the diversity leadership for Interior Health. Karl has focused efforts on educating colleagues and physicians on the proper use of pronouns in acute care settings to support patients during these most vulnerable times.

Building community and support through collaboration is a vital area of interest, along with ensuring that senior 2SLGBTQIA+ have equal, safe, and adequate housing and care in long term care facilities.

When not advocating for others, Karl likes to partake in the vast amount of hiking trails in the Thompson and Okanagan region, or take a wine tour to expand his collection.

Dausha Leghorn (she/they) is currently completing their Bachelor of Science as a Behavioural Neuroscience major at Simon Fraser University. They serve as an executive and faculty representative for the department’s student union.

Dausha feels very strongly about fostering intergenerational connections and community and sees support for 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors as a vital responsibility for young queer people.

As a home care companion and hospital volunteer, Dausha has become especially focused on the implementation of patient-centered care and the importance of meeting seniors' needs.

Their long-term goals include the study of medicine and the implementation of policy within medical/healthcare training to address the specific support needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ healthcare recipients.

As the Vice Chair/Board Liaison for the DSS Community Building Working Group, Dausha aims to recruit and construct community support mechanisms to allow 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors to comfortably and contentedly age in place.

Originally from Nova Scotia, Victoria Stuart (she/her/hers) is at home in B.C.

Victoria brings an academic life sciences background (Ph.D., Biology: molecular genetics) and computer programming expertise to her more recent advocacy work.

Her core skills (academic scholarship; active learning; critical thinking; problem solving; leadership, teamwork and mentoring; educational outreach) are broadly applicable in the humanities, nonprofit, and advocacy domains.

Victoria transitioned (mtf) while conducting post-doctoral work in North Carolina - where she founded the Durham Gender Alliance, a transgender support group.

Victoria advocates for universal human rights/social justice and environmental health. She also serves as a volunteer board member for the Dignity Seniors Society (DSS), which is is dedicated to affecting systemic change that creates culturally appropriate services for 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors. A 2SLGBTQIA+ senior, Victoria fully supports DSS and its mission.

In her spare time, Victoria and her long-time partner, Carm, enjoy cooking, exercise, socializing, and music.

Victoria lives and works on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples - the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Peter Toppings (he/him) M.Sc.

Peter is an innovative, strategic and authentic leader with over twenty-five years of experience working within the not-for-profit sector. He is deeply motivated to building the capacity of individuals and communities towards enhanced health and well-being. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director for the Memorial Society of BC.

Former positions have included Director of Community Health at the YMCA of Greater Vancouver, and Manager of the Patient Voices Network with ImpactBC.

Peter has a long history of community activism and for several years led education and outreach initiatives at Qmunity/The Centre.

Peter also currently volunteers with Rainbow Refugee to assist 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees to resettle in Canada.

Adam Webber (he/him)

Adam became interested in elder care while working as a health care aide in an Alberta assisted living home. He received on-the-job training and quickly discovered a strong desire to help older adults and their families.

It is through this work that Adam discovered some gaps within our eldercare system and decided to do something to help bridge those gaps.

Adam has completed a Bachelor of Professional Arts (BPA) in Human Services, and a Gerontology Certificate.

As a transmasculine person, Adam has focused much of his work on 2SLGBTQIA+ older adults, with the goal of understanding and supporting the specific needs of trans-identified older adults.

In his personal time, Adam enjoys spending time with his dog, Brin, and partner, Danielle. He enjoys crocheting, reading, spending time outside when it is warm, camping, boating, and playing games with friends.

Marieke Leliveld (she/her)

Marieke is a certified Quantum-Touch and Jikiden Reiki practitioner, animal communicator, and ICU Academy Teacher for children. Marieke embodies a myriad of roles, each interwoven with the threads of multidimensional healing of past-present-future, energy communication, and enlightenment.

She is a passionate advocate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, with a special place in her heart for seniors. Marieke believes in the power of love and acceptance as catalysts for healing and transformation. She actively supports initiatives that promote inclusivity and understanding, creating safe spaces for all individuals to thrive.

Born in the vibrant city of Maastricht, The Netherlands, Marieke’s life has been a tapestry of rich cultural and spiritual experiences. Her move to Vancouver, Canada, in 2010, marked a significant turn in her path, immersing her in the serene harmony of the ocean and mountains, amidst the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

On her off-time Marieke enjoys the profound beauty of British Columbia, often found forest bathing, rock climbing, exploring the coastline, wandering and exploring this gorgeous planet with her dear wife, best friend and soul’s companion Dani.